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Monday, April 26, 2021

Recent Reads

Every Monday, I share books I have recently read. I also participate in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. To find out what other bloggers are reading, check out the host blogs, Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers, or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...

Hugo and the Impossible Thing by Renée Felice Smith and Chris Gabriel and illustrated by Sydney Hanson

This book is going on my list of top favorite picture books. A bulldog named Hugo is curious about what's beyond the Impossible Thing and, although the other animals tell him getting to the other side is not possible, he's determined to try. Hugo is an endearing character who shows readers that even a difficult goal can be achieved. 

The Smile Shop by Satoshi Kitamura

A boy is excited about buying something with the money he's saved until he loses most of it down the drain at the market. He visits what he believes to be a smile shop and learns how a smile can improve one's outlook. 

Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly

Books with quirky, charming characters, like Marisol, are always favorites of mine. An illustrated chapter book about friendship and overcoming one's fears and anxieties, this is a sweet story. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I read a digital review copy. The book publishes in May.
 

One Small Hop by Madelyn Rosenberg

This is a science fiction middle grade novel set in the future. It's an adventurous and funny story about friendship and the environment and shows the importance of small acts to make a difference for the planet. Thanks to Scholastic for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion with an advanced reader's copy. It publishes in June.

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

I've been hearing how great this book is and it definitely lived up to my expectations. Ellie’s story is heart-wrenching, but also empowering. It addresses self-acceptance, standing up for oneself, and bullying, making it an important book for middle grade students to read. Written in verse, it's a quick read. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

6 comments:

  1. Hugo brings to mind Jim Steinman's quote: “If you don't go over the top, you can't see what's on the other side.” I don't read picture books unless they have dogs in them. I also enjoyed One Small Hop!

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  2. I'll definitely look for Hugo, Lisa, and I've seen about Marisol Rainey, still need to read it. Yes, Starfish is wonderful! Have a great week!

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  3. Can't wait to read Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey!

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  4. What a great set of books! I'm reading Starfish right now, and I hope to have a review up for next week—it really is spectacular! The Smile Shop and Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey both sound great as well. Thanks so much for the great post!

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  5. Thanks for the heads up about Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey. I went and added it to my list as soon as I saw it here. I really like Erin Entrada Kelly's work.
    I want to read others on your list today too, especially Hugo and the Impossible Thing. I am one of those people who believe that we just haven't figured out how to do the impossible.

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  6. I had not heard of Hugo before your review, thanks! I'll keep an eye out for it. Starfish has been my favorite book of the year so far. So so well written. Looking forward to Marisol Rainey!

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